“I’ll just have to make it an even harder decision for them to make, show them what I’ve got.'' -- Gustav Nyquist

Gustav Nyquist, battling with Phoenix's Boyd Gordon, elevated his game in the playoffs for the Red Wings.AP file photo

TRAVERSE CITY – By signing Daniel Cleary on Thursday, the Detroit Red Wings increased their logjam of forwards, which could stunt the growth of some

NHL-ready prospects.

It increases the chances that Gustav Nyquist will start the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins. And it raises questions about Tomas Tatar's future with the organization.

At the very least, Cleary's return likely will cut into ice time for the young forwards.

The Red Wings have 26 NHL players, three over the roster limit. That includes 17 forwards, three more than they intend to carry. They are $2.4 million over the salary cap. They have until the end of the month to sort it out.

It appears center Darren Helm (groin, back) will start the season on injured reserve. The Red Wings would need to trim two more players. Options include assigning Nyquist and/or defenseman Danny DeKeyser to Grand Rapids or trading or waiving a veteran like Jordin Tootoo, Patrick Eaves, Cory Emmerton or Mikael Samuelsson. They also could trade Tatar if they feel he doesn't fit into their future plans.

General manager Ken Holland is exploring many options, but expressed support for Nyquist and Tatar.

“Both played well for us last year. We like them both,'' Holland said. “Tats was the AHL (playoff) MVP with 16 goals; that's a lot of goals in a league where it's hard to score. Certainly, the expectations are they're going to be on the team.''

But, Holland also said of Nyquist, “There's a chance he could go to the American League. He's a good player. We want to win. We're going to try to ice our best team against Buffalo (in the season opener Oct. 2).''

Under ordinary circumstances, Nyquist and Tatar would be locks to make the Red Wings roster.

Nyquist, 24, led the Griffins with 58 points in 60 games and might have led the AHL in scoring had he been in the minors all season. He had six points in 22 regular season games with Detroit and elevated his play in the postseason (five points in 14 games), joining Joakim Andersson and Damien Brunner to form an energetic third line.

But the problem isn't Nyquist, it's his waiver status. He is their only NHL forward who is exempt from waivers. By sending him down after the preseason, the Red Wings could buy some time while sorting out their roster.

“I don’t think too much about it,'' Nyquist said. “I just have to show I want to be on this team and earn a spot.

“I don’t want to say I expect anything, but I’m going to obviously do my best to earn a spot on this team.''

If the Red Wings are unable to trade a veteran, they might be forced to send down Nyquist, at least temporarily. He loses his waiver-exempt status after playing two more NHL games. That would preclude the team from assigning him to Grand Rapids, since there is no doubt he would be claimed off waivers.

“I’ll just have to make it an even harder decision for them to make, show them what I’ve got,'' Nyquist said.

Tatar, 22, has patiently waited for his opportunity to play in the NHL, spending four seasons with the Griffins. He showed much promise during an 18-game stint with Detroit last season (four goals, three assists).

He can't be assigned to the minors without being exposed to waivers (he surely would be claimed).

“They always have lots of guys here and it's a big battle for, let's say, one spot,'' Tatar said. “Even when you play good it's really hard for them to change something when they still have option to send you down. This year it's a little different for me (not being waiver-exempt), but I'm still going to battle for my ice time and I want to make sure I play real good in camp and show I deserve more ice time.

“I have been waiting for that chance a little longer (than most). This year I got the chance and I try to show I belong here.''